They say losing a spouse is painful but losing a child is indeed more heartbreaking. This story of a family in Pike County, Georgia has touched many lives ... yes, including ours and perhaps, yours too.
Leland Shoemake, the six-year old son of Amber and TImmy, passed away on Sept. 25, Friday. He fell ill about a month ago after being infected by the amoeba Balamuthia mandrillaris that went its way up to his brain. As his conditions deteriorated day by day, the young boy's body seemed to no longer endure the pain and all.
In grief, the couple went back home after Leland's death and wasn't really expecting to still get another 'surprise' in this very difficult time.
"When Tim and I came home for the first time to get (Leland's) clothes to be buried in, this is the note we found from him on the table in the living," Amber wrote in a Facebook post on Monday. "We have no idea when he wrote it but you can tell he was always a special child," she reminisced in both joy and sadness.
Who would ever forget this smile that "launches a thousand ships".
A glimpse on Leland's note and his mom's post -- touching many hearts.
This is Amber. This will be my only post on here for awhile. I was over protective of Leland and tried my best to keep...
Posted by Prayers for Leland on Monday, September 28, 2015
This is perhaps the saddest post on the young boy's page...
Today sweet Leland went to be with the Lord. He fought so hard, but ultimately the sickness was too much for his body to...
Posted by Prayers for Leland on Friday, September 25, 2015
"The one thing he loved most was playing in the dirt," she wrote in her Facebook post. "I never imagined that would be the same thing that would take him from me," she seemed to express these with a heavy heart.
The family also expressed their warmest thanks to everyone especially to those who shared their blessings for Leland on his GoFundMe page. As of this writing, they already have $20,130 as raised by 560 people in just 14 days.
When all they can say now is a message of gratitude...
Many people -- families, relatives, friends, and even strangers all over the world extended their sincerest condolences and sympathy to the little man's bereaved family.
However, Amber also needed to speak her minds to clarify things...
I just wanted to clarify that the letter from Leland doesn't say goodbye. It says good day. It says "still with you...
Posted by Prayers for Leland on Wednesday, September 30, 2015